Canadian Showdown

[ladybugprincess88]

I've heard that Dilley, Steckly, Micks, Jason White and Gary Elliott are running the Canadian Showdown at Varney this weekend. Who else is running it?

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102575#msg102575

[Derek]

Dan Wright won the 75 lap LM race, followed by
Cole Weber and Mark Dilley.

Adrian Stahle won the Can-Am Midget feature.

Unfortunately only 10 LM were present racefanx.  The midgets
had in the high teens, but a few didn't start.  The track is now
owned by Kent Nuhn (former CASCAR/ current LM racer).

I'll post photos as soon as i can.

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102785#msg102785

[MARCH]

so whats the reason for only 10 LM?Is it the track?Ive never been there but were to race there in the fall ...im looking foward to it ...

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102786#msg102786

[Derek]

I wouldn't blame the track - it actually was a fairly good
race, with passing throughout the field.  It's a tight highly
banked track.  I know OSCAAR is going to run a non points
show there, and should set a very fast lap time record.

The low car count is a bit surprising, although it sounds like
a lot of cars went to the Peterborough show.  Anybody
to report from there??

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102788#msg102788

[jcrashm2]

good finishers at the pete show got better starts or guaranteed starts for autumn colours....
the new wall is in its second or third season...
7 llm can put on a good race at varney...but low counts in mods could be becuz of the new series they have going?

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102789#msg102789

[racerrob]

i know on a personal note , i emailed the track a few times about payouts  and until just two weeks ago i was told it would be put on the website in a couple days.not much done to attract drivers to the show i would say . the tracks up here should look into the way some of the southern tracks use social media to get drivers and fans . also 2for 1 deals , family discounts, food specials etc...

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102795#msg102795

[Derek]

I would also like to thank Kent, his family and the staff at Varney
for their warm welcome.  This was my first visit back in quite a
while, and they seem to truely want to turn the place around.
The racing on the tight track was also a good show.

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102814#msg102814

[Gary36]

I was impressed with the track and the way all the staff treated us.  It was a good race considering the car count was low.  We thought there would be 16 cars minimum. Some who were going to go went to Peterborough and others thought there were going to be too many cars and didn't bring their cars, but came to watch.

I feel bad for the track, but overall the fans were treated with a competitive show, an awesome autograph session with both LM and TQ's on the track.  The weather was perfect.

It was my first race on Varney in a Late Model, and with the new design. I had a good time and will go back for the next invitational.  I read Mark Dixon's post about $183 bonus and just looked at my pay out and got the same.  Wow, I have never heard of that before, very nice thank you Kent.

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102816#msg102816

[Thayne]

We were planning on running one of pete/varney but the Thunder car blew it's engine last weekend and it was an expensive week. Went to the cottage instead.

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102831#msg102831

[mike32]

as a fan, we had a great day. Nice leisurely two hr drive up from Burlington on quiet back roads most of the way. Can Am midgets were great and running in the low 12 second range. Covered grandstand is great when it's warm but it was a perfect day, around 25 degrees and breezy.
 Late model car count had me puzzled. Seemed to be a very good payout, for example, with the bonus Gary Elliott got over $800 for fourth. I honestly thought there would be more Sauble cars there since the Sauble LM's had the weekend off. I was a little surprised to see the 35 from Sauble ran at Peterboro (and even so, their feature had just 14 cars). Kudos to the Jacobs in bringing their pro late models after a rough 100 lapper at Delaware on Friday. Also to the McNichols (sp???) who ran their tc/super stock after wrecking their llm two weeks ago. Sounds like by what I interpret from Gary's website, is that the "pro" late models have to add too much ballast to be competitive (I believe he was speaking why David didn't run there). Hopefully a tweaking of the rules might lead to more competing next season.
 Sometimes I think it's the time of year. Speaking with some friends at the race from Brampton and Streetsville, we were remembering that normally, most of the weekly Ontario tracks ran a reg show on holiday weekends and then we'd show up at Cayuga for a big special (for example ASA) on the Sunday. Currently, there seems to be an awful lot of special events already in the books and we're barely at the half way mark of the season. I think when I started going to Flammy in 1971, the track basically had three specials, a 100 lapper for super mods, a 100 lapper for late models and the Pinecrest-Flamboro Challenge in October. Now I wonder when the specials seem to be every two weeks, are we wearing out the racers and the fans?

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102842#msg102842

[Gary36]

racefanx, I agree with much of what you've said and I'm sure home tracks are trying to figure ways to help build their weekly divisions and pay a little more to the teams to help cover their racing costs.  
I do like the idea of travelling shows, although I believe the CVM should be back at Flamboro as a home track division.  The Hobby's have a different look and appeal to fans and adding them (same as TQ) to any show provides a very unique style and excitement for fan entertainment.  
Since many of the CVM members prefer shorter schedules and not a home track (I'm suggesting that because their schedule the past four or five years has been limited to a 12 race series) I would still use theses travelling series and give the home track regulars a night off, or three nights off.  Then add a perfect attendance for each home track class to encourage racers to show up for all the other races they are scheduled.  Travelling shows have their place if utilized properly.
As for the many variations of Late Models, they certainly do exist, but much of the initial problem lies 100% with the track owners for making it this way.  Years ago, back in the 80's and 90's and even the past ten years,  every track that ran Late Models had a different configuration and rule package. When it came to Invitationals, no track would bend, or were creative enough to think to add weight, decrease left side, or give or take away the carb,  to bring parity, and most of all, allow their fans to see some of the stars from other tracks. Instead, they simply didn't allow cars to run if they did not meet the rules.  Teams came to track specials, raced and many times we heard the news that someone was disqualified for an illegal part.  Illegal to the track they were at,  but not at their own track.
In the past eight years, with the introduction of the Crate engine, tracks were still reluctant to allow them for specials. Then in 2007 Joe Chisholm had a special at his track and decided to allow every configuration of Late Model in Ontario compete with weight and left side penalties.  That carried on with Jason Thom of Sauble, and then Delaware and other tracks, like Peterborugh for their Autumn Colors. 
Sunset held Pro Late Model races that included every kind of Late Model in Ontario penalized according to what they brought to the show.
The only engine program not allowed at some specials was and is the ASA modified 604 Crate, which was an idiotic idea to allow those engines to be opened up, any of them, including the 602.  It use to cost us $3500 to $4500 to rebuild our inline six, and now you can buy a brand new 602 V8 for $3200, so why allow them to come apart? I digress on that issue.....for now.  
Some Late Models have coil over shocks and strut suspension, others have big spring and lower control arms.  Some have 2 piston brakes, others have 4 piston aluminum calipers. Some did not allow headers, most do now, if not all.  Some have 5.5" clutches others 10", plus the rear ends, some are 9" while many are quick change and finally the carbs, a 4 barrell is allowed on all 604 engines and 2 barrells on the 602.
At Sunset, when the Pro Late Model races come to town there are penalties to bring parity.  It shouldn't be confusing to any fans because the cars look exactly the same.  Most all chassis's and cars come from McColl, Hanley, Port City, Howe or Left Hander, but they all run the 5 Start ABC body, though some use the APR body, but they look the same.  What's good about these races is that anyone can come now, they don't have to  stay home because they have a different race car. Even the ASA and Monster Ford engines are allowed but have to add weight.  
So when a Flamboro or Delaware Late Model comes to Sunset, assuming they are running the 604 unaltered, they bascially add a little weight.  It's the Limited Lates (that look exactly the same from the stands) that have to do major work to make the 602 powered cars compete.  The track gives them a huge weight break, the 4 barrell carb and the little 5.5" clutch.  What happens is an opportunity for all cars to compete, although some will say the LLM have the edge.  
What I like about these shows is the talent that shows up.  The best from every track in Ontario come out and the shows are exciting for that reason. These are as close to the Invitationals we use to see back in the mid to late 60's when cars came from tracks all over Ontario to compete, even the US.
I don't see everyone running the 604 and 10" tires, but I think it should be the way to go.
I wrote a thread on my own web site about calling the cars at Barrie, Sauble, Peterborough and Sunset Late Models and dropping the name Limited.  It really is a misnomer, when teams are spending $40 to $50K on brand new race cars with some very trick equipment, the name Limited can and should be dropped.  
 

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102874#msg102874

[mike32]

racefanx and Gary both have very good points. One thing I'd like to see more of the asphalt tracks do is one thing that I've picked up at some of the big dirt shows & that is to run some of the weekly divisions at special events but in the name of efficiency, have them run a feature only.
 Last season we were at Eriez Speedway (Hammett Pa) for a WOO LM show. WOO ran time trials (3 cars on the track at one time btw), 4 heats, two b mains, 50 lap feature and the weekly Fastrak late models, Limited late models and e-mods ran a feature only. Show started at 7 and was over at 10:20.
 I was thinking about this format for example at Flamboro's Grisdale show next week. Sure, have the lm's do qualifying heats but have the other classes do a feature only. Don't wear everyone out (especially in this heat)ps-racefanx-what I find frustrating is that the "pro" late model tracks (I remember when these used to be called lm sportsman cars in deference to a super late model) can't get on the same page as far as wheel sizes, tire brands & widths (different at all three) and engine rules. Like Gary referred to that modified 604 deal at Delly or rules at Kawartha that seem to encourage the ACT package.

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102875#msg102875

[slapdown]

KD has always started everyone @ The Sizzler except for the 3 ACT tour events. The reason more cars are not there are many. Some Flammy and Delly guys don't like some of the weight penalties, Grisdale race Saturday, hate the travel thru Toronto on a Friday and many don't travel. To think advertising they will start every car that shows up will bring more cars is wishful thinking. We haven't had even close to a huge field since the ACT rules were adopted, except the tour races. And Mosport doesn't have a true LM class anymore so that contibuted to smaller fields as well. That being said I'm betting on 26 - 28 cars with 7 - 10 out of ttowners

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102904#msg102904

[Racing Habits]

It seems funny a dozen cars can go to NSS Florida race. Then come home and disapear in different directions (rules) gotta be a lot o parts on the shelf !

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102906#msg102906

[mike32]

Racefanx-re Delaware-31 late models at the 100 lapper but two were actually OSS sportsman cars (former Cascars) And Racing Habits, I know what you mean re cars going to Fla and then disappearing. I was talking to Shawn McGlynn at the Cdn Tire show at Delly and asked him what happened to the lm they ran in Florida. They still have it and he plans to run it in the show with the Nascar stars but seems to be concentrating on the Lucas Oil Sportsman tour car. They want to hit some of the big American shows in the fall (like the Snowball Derby, probably when Shawn's business is sort of in its' off season.
 Of course too, I've heard of teams going to New Smyrna for the week in Feb and blowing their years budget in one fell swoop.
ps-a friend who is a novice fan to lm racing asked me how to tell llm's and lms apart. I gave up and told him basically look at the wheels. The llm has the older type sportsman wheels and the late models run the wide fives for the most part. Hope I'm right-lol

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=15621.msg102912#msg102912